Edwih baltzley



E. BALTZLEY.

WIRE BINDINGCLIP.

APPLICATION FILED 'MAR. 15. 1919.

Patented Sept. 30, 1919.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN BALTZLEY, 0F GLEN RIDGE, NEW JERSEY; LOUIS BALTZLEY ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID EDWIN BAL'IZLEY, DECEASED.

WIRE BIN DING-CLIP.

Patented Sept. 30, 1919.

Continuation of application Serial No. 215,697, filed February 6.1918. This application filed March 15, 1919'.

Serial No.

- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN BALTZLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Glen Ridge, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire Binding- Clips, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wire clips for binding papers together, and has for its object the production of a clip that is clamped on the papers by being reversed in position thereon; one that will not pick up and carry off other papers; a clip thatwill serve the purpose of all that class of clips that relies upon pressure for binding papers, and also of that other class that binds with a tack or pointed member, which is pressed through the papers to bind them; a wire clip that will take the place of pins for filing purposes; one that is thin, binds flat and tight, does not bulk up the papers except to the minimum degree,- and takes up but little filing space in files and filing cabinets; a clip that binds at its jaw end, and so that no other papers can Slip under it; one with open jaws for the free admission of papers until reversed on the papers for binding them, and can be used over and over without losing its binding efiiciency, and returns to its open jaw position for the free admission of papers when released from binding pressure; a clip that will bind tight and lock the papers together; and finally one that serves the greatest number of binding purposes.

A clip in accordance with my invention is made of an integral piece of wire bent so as to provide a resilient base at one end and side portions extending therefrom, having binding jaws at their other ends which are open initially and may be readily put in placeon the papers. These jaws obtain pressure for binding the papers between them by the reversal of the clip on the papers.

By reversal of the clip on the papers for binding pressure is meant the act, after having slipped the papers between the open jaws of the clip, of twisting or turning it thereon until it is turned completely over (but not the papers), and those faces of the jaws which were directed outward and away from the papers and did not come in contact with the papers before the clip was reversed, now, after reversal, come in contact with the papers and bind them-tightly together by the tension of the spring base.

One of the binding jaws of my improved clip is preferably smaller than the other, and is adapted to pass inside of and through the larger jaw to the normally open jaw pos1t1on of the clip, for the free admission of papers between the jaws. A tack or point is preferably provided on the end of one of the jaws, to penetrate the papers to be bound, and the tack, combining with the tension of the binding pressure of the clip, locks the paperstight together. The side portions of the clip are so related, that they have an angular position relative to each other, whereby the clip may be readily put 111 place on the papers. By providing clips with bases of various suitable forms, the capacity of the clip to hold greater number of papers may be increased to any desired degree. The clip may also be provided with hand holes for facilitating the wider expansion of the jaws by finger and thumb pressure to enable papers to be freely inserted.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of clip for use with a few sheets or papers. Fig. 2 is a side view of this clip placed over the margin of papers to be held. Fig. 3 is a side view taken midway of the reversal action by which clamping pressure is obtained. Fig 4 is a side view taken after the reversal has been completed. Fig l is like Fig. 4, except that the jaws have been pinched together and the tack of the lower jaw forced into the paper. Fig. 5 is an end view of Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is an end view of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a view like Fig. 4, except that the lower jaw has an obliquely directed point or tack. Fig. 8 is an end View of a somewhat modified form of clip for holding an increased quantity or thickness of papers. Fig. 9 is an end view similar to Fig. 6, and showing the quantity clip of Fig. 8 placed upon a comparatively thick bunch of papers, and reversed into clamping position thereon. Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a modified form of clip in position in which it is placed over the edges of a bunch. of papers, and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the clip of Fig. 10 reversed on the papers into clamping position. Figs. 12 and 13 are perspective views similar to Figs. 10 and 11, but showing a still further modified form of clip and Figs. 14 and 15 are similar views of a clipembodying all of the various features claimed herein, Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are respectively perspective, side and end views of still another modified form of clip.

The clip is preferably made of a single piece of wire, bent to form a spring base 10 i at its rear end, two side portions 11, 12 integral with the base portion, and spaced apart, that is, separated from each other the length of the base portion 10. Said sideportions terminate in jaws 13 and 141, one of which 13, is thelarger and preferably surbent from its extreme outer end, to stand outward when not binding papers, and inso that it cannot be moved by ordinary ward when binding them.. In the larger clips, in which a tack is ordinarily not re quired, though it may beused if desired, I prefer the smaller jaw to end in sub stantially circular form, as shown at 16, Figs 10, and 11, or in substantially part circular form as shown at 17, Figs. 12 and 13. The jaws may have still other forms when desired. v V V The tack or point of the smaller jaw does not interfere with the free entrance of papers between the jaws, because it initially points outwardly, that is, away from the papers P inserted therein, as shown iii Figs. 2 and 5. j When papers are inserted, and the clip reversed in position on the papers, as V the point 15 is turned inwardly, andby pushing shown in Figs. 3 and d, for example,

the jaws together, the tack is caused to penetrate the papers and locks the clip on them,

pulling, pushing or the like, without tearing the papers. It can easily be removed however, whendesired, and this is accomplished by unreversing the clip, that is to say, turning, the clip backward through the position shown in Fig. 3 to thatshown in Fig. 2. When applied and reversed to binding posi:

tion, and pushedinto the paper asshown in V Fig. 4, the clip binds the paperssecurely, will not permit other papers to slip under its jaws and cannotfbe lost, by slipping off the papers, but may, nevertheless, be readily taken oil by turning its backwa dly to original insertion, position. In the drawings, I

I both jaws may have projecting show the under aw as having the locking tack or point 15, but I do not confine myselfv thereto, as the upper or largerjaw may be provided with a lockingpoint or points, or points within the scope of the invention. The tack or tacks may be inclined, if desired, asshown at 18, Fig. for example. I The projecting I when the tack is made with an oblique angle,

as shown at 18, in Fig. 7, the clip may be pushed fart-her on the papers after-it. is re: versed, and engaged with thepapers as'by pulling toward the edge thereof, when the tack will penetrate without the clip being necessarilysubjected to compression. The oblique angle of the tackvor point also facilitates the processv of reversing the clip by riding up on the incline so provided. 7

In practice, I have found it desirable to make the clip of the best spring wire, notonly to give adequate gripping tension, but to make the clip permanently useful by re-, turning to proper gripping form after each use, even though stretched beyond its normal capacity. iThisis.v notoriously not the case in most commercialwire clips-l also preferably make use gage possible, for the service to be performed, for thick wire is not only'a danger and a nuisance inletters in the mails, but unnecessarily consumes valuable space in filing cabinets. The thin wire is preferably of the best tempered quality for. spring and ten sion. The thin wire serves a further pur-v pose. For cheapness of construction and adaption to the larger range of service, a clip of wire of the smallest with a 'right angular point and made of wire of very small gage, has been found most satisfactory, and the thin wire obviates thepurposes it is. an advantage not to sharpen the point beyondv the sharpness the thin wire gives it, because while such a point may be r readily pressedthrough.the, papers, by thumb and finger pressure when desired, without such pressure it may ride on the Ja erwithout aenetratin which is desin The reliance forgrippingtension ision the force produced by reversal of the clip on the paper, the smallerijaw havinga tendency to" pass back through the larger jaw to initial position, which movement however, 1SP1G- vented from taking place by the papers b'etween them and from this the clamping pres sure results.

' The form of clip shown in Figs and!) is adapted for binding a somewhat thicker bundle of papers. Here the back 10? is not so fiatv as in Fig. 5, for example, but extends 1 0 5 necessity of sharpening the point. For some i the planes defined by said sides together" at an anglebetween the two sides 11* and 12, and in this way serves to accommodate a: bunch of papers 1? of increased thickness, as will be seen from the end view, Fig. 9.

In the forms shown'in Figs. 10 and 12, the two sides 11 and12 (Fig; 10) and 11 and 12 (Fig. 12'), cross-each other so that with their jaws intersect between the ends of the sides, and the jaws, as 13' and 16 (Fig. 10), are wide apart, while the spring base 10 is extended laterally between its ends into substantially a U-form or V-form, pro viding for a wide range of expansion or contraction to accommodate its useon bunches of papers of widely ranging thickness. In this form, the plane of the spring base 10 is substantially at right angles to the sides 11 and 12, when in place in a bunch of papers as shown in Fig. 11, and to the planes defined by the sides taken together with their aws.

In the larger sizes of my clip, I may provide hand holds as 19 and 20 (Figs. 12 and 13), in the sides between the spring base and the jaws, and because the sides of the clip cross each other, pressure on the hand holds 19 and 20 spread thejaws 13 and 17 wider apart, so that papers can the more readily be entered between them. When the papers'are thus entered, the clip is reversed on the papers to the position shown on Fig. 13. The'clip of Figs. 10 and 11 may be n'lanipulated in a similar manner, the ends of the base 10 and theadjacent parts of the sides 11 and 12 serving as h-andholds for spreading the jaw apart. Various forms of handholds may be used.

The clips of Figs. 14: and 15 embody a large number of desirable features. The base 100 is of U-form or V-form, and is adaptable for expansion or contraction to be used on bunches of paper of a wide variation in thickness. The sides 101 and 102 have handholds 103 and 101 between the region where they normally cross when not applied to papers, as shown in Fig. 14, and their junction with the base portion. The larger jaw 105 is of substantially semi-circular form, having the open side toward the base, as indicated at 106, and the smaller jaw 10 7 is provided with an obliquely extending point or tack 108, adapted'to penetrate the papers when the clip is put in place, reversed to clamping position (Fig. 15) and then pulled toward the edge of the papers P or compressed thereon, as by pressure applied to the handholds 103' and 104, which handholds are, of course, adapted to be seized and compressed to open the jaws 105, 107 in putting the clip on the paper.

The clip shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18, is a quantity clip which serves well for binding a comparatively thick bunch of papers. The base 200 extends practically at right angles to the edge of the papers P held therein, asappears fron'i Fig. 18, and the sides 201, 202 may be compressed by thumb and finger pressure applied thereto to widen theinitial opening 203 between the jaws 204, 205 in applying the clip to abunch of papers.

The degree of gripping tension of all the clips illustrated herein, is determined by the width of the normal opening of the jaws, the tension being obtained by reversing the clip on the papers, whereby the pressure is transferred from one side of each of the clip jaws to the other side thereof, and the grip is therefore at the extreme outer or jaw ends of the binding sides, so that other papers cannot slip under them to be picked up and carried off. 0

Ninety per cent of all the clips used are for binding from two to four or six papers. This use is served by the form of the clip shown in Fig. 1. The other forms of the improved clip shown are adapted for binding larger quantities of papers, the form shown in Figs. 10 and 11 for example, being capable by expansion or contraction for use with a. wide range of thickness of papers. It will thus be seen'that a clip in accordance with my invention, covers a wide range of applications, and serves the greatest number of clip uses, ranging all the way from binding 95 a few papers to a very thick bunch of papers, which is the highest function of a clip.

This application is a continuation of my application No. 215,697, filed Feb. 6, 1918.

I. claim: I

l. A paper binding clip for binding pa pers by being reversed in position thereon, comprising a resilient base portion, two side portions, spaced apart, extending therefrom and ending in jaws, one of said jaws being 105 provided with a substantially pointed end which extends outwardly away from the papers before the clip is reversed, and inwardly toward the papers after it is re versed.

2. A paper binding clip for binding papers by being reversed in position thereon, comprising a resilient base portion, two side portions, spaced apart, extending therefrom and ending in jaws, one of said jaws having 115 a pointed end which extends outwardly away from the papers on an oblique angle before the clip is reversed in position, and inwardly toward the papers on an oblique angle after it is reversed.

3. A binding clip for binding papers by being reversed in position thereon comprising a pair of connected spring clamping arms, one of said clamping arms being provided with an open jaw and the outer end 125 of the other clamping arm passing freely through said jaw from face to face thereof.

4. A binding clip for binding papers by being reversed in position thereon comprising a pair of connected spring clamping 130 anns, the outer end of one of said arms be- 5y'from one face thereof to the other face thereof, V

'5. A'paper binding clip, for binding papers by being reversed in position thereon, comprising a resilient base portion, and two side portions, spaced apart, extending therefrom and ending in jaws, the plane of said base portion being at an angle to the plane of one of said jaws.

6. A paper binding clip having a resilient base portion, and two' side portions, spaced apart, extending therefrom and ending in jaws, one of which surrounds the other on three sides, and are arranged to bind papers by being reversed in position thereon,

the plane of said base portion being at a vright angle to the plane of one of said jaws.

7 A paper binding clip having a resilient base portion, two side portions extending therefrom in crossing planes, ending in jaws, the planes of which are at right angles to the plane ofsaid resilient base portion, and open by compression of said side portions between the point of crossing of said planes and said base portion, one of said jaws being formedto surround an open area on three sides, and the other to cooperate therewith to bind the papers by being reversed in position thereon.

o Copies of this patent inay be obtained for t l-mm:

. 8, A paper' binding clip havinga resilient 9. A-paper binding clip having a resilient base portion, two side portions spaced apart,

- extending therefrom, ending in aws for the entrance of papers between 1116111,;0116 of said jaws being formed to surround an open area onthree sides and the other to. cooperate therewith to bind papers by being reversed in position thereon.

10. A paper binding elip,' for binding pa pers by being inserted and reversed in posi- I tion thereon,-comprising a resilient base por- 7 tion, two side portions, spaced apart, extend ing therefrom and ending 1n aws of unequal size adapted for the entrance of papers between them, the larger ofsaid jaws being open at the end-thereoftoward the base position, and the smaller of said jaws being adapted to pass through the open part of the opposing aw.

Iii-testimony that I claimrthe foregoing I have hereto setm'y hand this 11th day of March, 1919. I

o EDWIN BALTZLEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner o'flatents, Washington, D. G. 

